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Dec. 11, 1928.

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ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed Jne a, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 11, 1928.

W. WU RDACK, JR

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH 2 Sheets-Shasta 2 Filed June s, 192s Patented Dec. l1, 1928.

UNITED ,STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM WRDACK, JR., O' ST. LOUlS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO WURDACK ELEC- TRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, yMISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF l MIssoUnI.

ELECTRIC SNAP sWi'rCH.

Application filed .Tune 3, 1925.` Serial No. 34,559. y

This invention relates generally to electric switches and, more particularly, to a certain new and useful improvement in electric switches of the so-called snap type.

My present invention has for its chief ob-` readily and quickly operatively assembled.

with a minimum of time and labor.

My presentinvention has for a .further object the provision of an electric snap switch in which screwsor other' such means for fastening the members or elements of the switch together are obviated and in which the blades of the switch are snapped under the pull of a spring into on position, in electrical engagement with the circuit-terminals, and into full olf position when ldrawn out of engagement with the line or circuit-terminals, but in which swingable or oscillatory members of the switch are so constructed as to draw, through their intenengagenient, the

i blades from engagement with the circuit-ter` minals and thereby assist in actuating the blades of the switch to of position.

My present invention has for a still further objectto cheapen the cost of manufacture, facilitate quantity production, and simplify the construction `of and generally improve upon electric switches of the type described.

lith the above and other objects in view,`

my present inventionresides in the novel feaw tures of form, construction7 arrangement, and

combination of parts 'hereinafter described and afterwards pointed out in the claims.

i In the accompanying drawings,v

Figure 1 is a plan view of an electric snapswitch embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view `of the switch taken ony approxin'iately the line 2-2 Figure 1, its blades being, as in Figure 1,in,on position, that is to say, in electrical engagement with the stationary circuit-terminals.

Figure 3 is a View of the switch, partly in elevation and `partly in section, withits blades in olf position, that is to say, out of electrical engagement with the circuit-terminals.

Figure 4 is a similar view of the switch, with its blades likewise in off position, but with its actuating handle partly manipulated preparatory to snap actuation of the blades under the pull of the spring of the switch to on position; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the switch with its blades moving from off to on position under the snap'pull of the spring of the switch..

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, A designates the base of the switch, which is preferably of any suitable insulation material and which, in practice, may be suitably mounted in a switch boX or upon a wall "or other` support with its outer face flush bight or base 3 upon base A intermediate the grooves or recesses 2, with its wall-portions or so-ca-lled legs 4l-/l presented upwz'trdly,'is a frame ll of substantially U-shape in end elevation,- frame B being preferably con struc'tcd by stamping and formed cf a single integral section of si'litably stili? or rigid sheetinstal.` ln its base or bight ii, frame B is longitudinally slotted, as at in registratifjm with a third longitudinal and preferably arcuate groove 6 in base A, all for purposes shortly appearing; and at one end of its bight B, frame B isfforined with a preferably in, tegral longitudinal extension 7, which,v as well as the opposite end of frJme--bight 3 are suitably apertured to accommodate screws or other attaching-members i) for rigidly fastening frame B operatively to base A. The one longitudinal frame-extension 7 is, as best seen in Figure l, of such dimensions and so formed to provide outwardly presented oppositely disposed abutn'ients or stops, as at 1li-l0, for purposes also shortly appearmg.

The upstanding walls 4 of frame B are cutaway from one side edge in identical configuration, as best seen inFigures 2, 3, 4, and

Zil-

ysofcalledlever oli the preferably constructed by 5, to provide a pair of so-called edges, as at 11, intermedlate their, height, 1n which 1s formed 'apair of relatively shallow horii'ion-l tally aligning notches 1.2*12 and suitablyatitsopposite ends set inforvot-herwise fixed tofthe rameovalls AI adyacentrtheirupper edGe and adJacent their uninterrupted side edges, 1s a reinforcing; cross-piece 13;- Formed 1n the walls e adjacent their upper ends and .in approximate vertical alignment with the notches 12, are linntleopenlngs or sea-ts 8.

Gldesignateswhat may bek termed the carrying 1. einher for the blades ormovable terminals or contacts oit the switch, which inemlier is likewise preferably termed by stamping eta singleintegral section et suitable stillE or rigid sheet metal and comprises a body-portion 1li of lpproxiuiately inverted U'shape and Yopposit-ely d isposed rarms '15-1.5

extending laterally from the legs et he body 14 asbest seen in Fie'urel. the bod 14- beinjie' 7 Q L2 cut away or votherwise terr' l so; upon the inne facesy of its legs with a pair oi oppositely disposed shoulders 16g-16 to rest tor oscillation or rocking movement upon the'franie notches 12..y FittedI and suitably xed intermediate its ends upon each arm 15 between retainingwashers 1T-17 and' suitably insulated both from the washers 17 and the arm 15, as shown,

is a conductingv blade 18, which, itinay be added, is of such thickness and dimensions to removably lit'between and electr' ly engage with the lixed contacts or liaws woon the switch is in on or circuit-closing position,

asbest seen in Figures v1 and 2, and while they present switch is equipped with two such blades 1.8, the' switch may equally Wellinq clude la lesser or greater number olI such blades as inaynieet the requirements of any particular' installation.` At their lower or so-calledfree ends, the legs ol' member C are lenothwise extendedl as at 19 19 for envase t; 7 7 7 D ment in one swung or rocked position oi' member G with `the limiting abutments orV side piecesQG, 21, and upper and lower cross or end pieces 22, 28, respectively; It willbe seen, however, that the side piece 21 is obliquely disposed., from lower cross-piece 23 to upper cross-piece 22, to the other side piece 20 and is united to upper cross-piece 22 by an arcuated cornclirspieceft, from which itre* suits that the side pieces 2O andv 21 are grad-v ually from the lower end to the upper end o A coilspring Z9 is now engaged 'side-piece 20 of member l) .ar

' a centralV member D spaced farther apart and that member l) is corresoondingly et greater lateral dimension at and adjacent its upper end' than Vatvits lower end. Presented upwardly from body cr :as-member Q ?,is anv extension carrying; a suitable actutin-g` handle 26, and proj ecting dowi'iwardly from body crossinember, is a tongue 27 fitting and working for engagement with its end walls in' the bight--slot 5.- Fix'edlin member l) at, disposed laterally oit its upper cross-piece 2, 'are pintles or trunnons 28. V

ln assembling; the several parte switcir, member U,'h ving); the one er ni tact-blades 15Min-fl thereupon as dese pre-ifo bly .tirst sposed tolooselV lat ts b i ight the so-cal d lower cross-'piece orineni-y l )er l), which latt r member is then fitted upon rame l5 with its pintles or trunnions QS Vi vhe apertures S id its tongue l'projecti" ntol the bight-slot o, the walls-4. of traine sing suitably spaltig` apart 'to oermit'the lin# `crtionl otthe opposit'ely disposedtrunnions Il in their trarneaccommodating apertures. one endv with thel lower cross-piece oit'member l) and` at its upper endwith the bight or cross: piece et member C, and the'meinber Cth-nl litt'ed .at shoulders 16 to restuoon the notches 12 et the walls of the :traine The 95 suf'itcheproiier is then Afittedupon a; d secured described upon base 1, and so assemblee w'llbe noted that themeinber D is s edat its pintles 2S ior'rociing or oscillatory movement upon, and intermediate the walls 4 ott, frame Btwith its tongue 27 disposed in the slot 5, that thefineniber C is disposed lfor rocking movement at its shoulders 1o upon andrelatively toframe- B, and "that the bight ot member@J is disposed loosely v. thehody o'memberl) with the side-piwes 2O 21o;t1nember D disposed upc sides thereof. It will'be noted the lll() I a w i Y Y' L o'l the switch are so' relatively constifuctd that, when the blades 18 are in"on position,

ati its as in Eigines 1 the bi keht un?L member nges upon or bears agar e tongue 227 nipingcs upon be. one end wallo'islot' adjaeenttlu stops 10, and: that when the blades18` are in" olfUv position, as in Fic/'uroy il, the cpiiosite side-piece 21 of member Donal tie is, t ot' member C are in spaced non-engaging relaL tion and that tire leg-extensions 19 oi iemb'er- 1'20 C imp-inge or bear ythe trame-stops 10. The switch a whole is now ready for use and operation. then thtl the switch is inuon pos xon, aaiin Figures 11 and` 2, lei/"erhandle4 QGol" member? @is manipu-l lated 'to roch member E, whereupon, tin-ou 'l 'ement et member at its side# 2G with" the iie1 C, di' sure is first e erted upon-r gage-its carrie-d blades c ,t i kanal-i1 l, and as member C is so rocked audits blades 18 disengaged from the terminals 1, pull is exerted upon the. spring 29 and the tensionfoii` spring 29 exerted, assoon as the blades 18 are so disengaged from terminals 1, in snapping the members C and D and blades 18 to.

full oil position, the oscillatory movement of said members to suchposition being limited by the engagement of the leg-extensions 19 of member C with the iframe-stops 10. Thus' the force or power required in overcoming the friction between the engaged blades 18 and terminals 1 is delivered under the directpositive engagement between the members C and D, and the spring 28 thus mostjmaterially assisted in snapping the blades from on to oli position. When the lever-extension 2G of memberiD is manipulated to actuate the blades 18 reverscly ,or from oil to onpositiom the members C and D being out ot' impinging'engagement when the blade` 18 are in oiposition, as stated, the spring 29, which` is gi'aduallyextended as the member D is so rocked, solely functions underits `pull as member D 1s actuated to rock member C and snap its carriedblades into on position in engagement with the iixed terminals 1, the rocking movement ot the members C and D to on position being limited by the engagement of tie tongue 27 oi member `D- with said end-Wall of the bight-slot 5 of frame B and the tongue 27 loi" member D also functioning at all times to steady and hold member D from lateral.displacement. i My newswitch has been found exceedingly efficient in use and operation. It is compact and durable and composed oi few parts, all ot which, with the exception oef-spring 2Q, are

substantially `unbrealnible and easily and unexpensively manufactured, and thel switch as a Whole is most readily and conveniently afs-- sembled 1n a minimum ottime and with a minimum of laber. l

I am aware that minor changes in the form, construction, arrangement, and vcombination of the several parts of the switch may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is 1, An electric snap switch including, inV

combination, a pair of spaced rigid Walls hav- `ing a pair of aligning bearings, a member mounted upon said bearings for oscillatory movement relatively to the Walls, contactblades carried by said member, a manipulating member supported for oscillation by said walls and comprising a skeleton frame cmbracing a portion ofthe blade-carrying mein-- ber, the manipulating member being adapted ior impinging engagement `at a side oi its frame with the blade-carrying. member When.

said blades are in circuit-closing position, and

aicoil spring `having attachment at its ends with said portion of the blade-carrying mem- `ber and with the manipulatingymcmber for imparting rocking movement to the bladecarrying member upon oscillation of the i'nanipulating member. i

2.-An electric lsnapsvvitch including, in combination, a slotted base, a pair of spaced rigid walls upstanding from the base and having la pair of aligning bearings, a member mounted upon said bearings for oscil- 'latfoIfy movement relatively to the Walls, contactebladcs carried by said member, a manipulating member supported for oscillation by said walls and having iinpinging engagement with the blade-carrying member when thc blades/are` in on7 position, a spring having engagement WithV said blade-carrying and manipulating members for imparting snap rocking movement Ito the blade-carrying Vmember upon oscillation of the manipulating member, anda tongue upon tliemanipulating member working in said Slot.

A 3. An electric snap switch including, in combination, a slotted base, a pair of spaced rigid Walls upstanding from the baseand y having a. pair ot' aligning bearings, a member mounted upon said bearings for oscillatory movement relatively to the Walls, contact-blades carried by said member, a manipulating member supported `:for oscillation by said Walls and having impinging engagement with the blade-carrying member when the blades are in circuit-closing position, a spring having engagement with said blade-carrying and :manipulating members for imparting snap rocking movement to the blade-carrying member upon oscillation of the manipulating member, and means comprising a tongue Working in said slot for limiting the oscillatory movements of said blade-carrying and manipulating members relatively to said Walls, f

4. An electric snap switch including, in combination, a slotted base, a pair of spaced rigid `Walls upstandingffrom the base and having a pair oil aligning bearings, a ineinber mounted upon said bearings for voscillatory movement relatively to the Walls, con- `Walls, said means comprising abutments on said base, extensions on the blade-carrying member adapted for engagement with said abutments when the blades are thrown to cirllu the manipulating member, and a rigid linger grip-extension projecting from said `manipulating member for effecting oscillatory actuations thereof. Y

10. In lan electric snap switch, 'iulcombination, a slotted base, a pair of spaced rigid walls, a U-shaped member mountedupon said `walls for oscillatory movement, contactblades carried by said member, a manipulating-member supported for oscillation by said Walls and comprising a skeleton framesurrounding `and embracing the bight of the blade-.carrying member, a coil spring having engagement with the bight oi the bladecarrying member and with the manipulating member for imparting snap rocking morement to the blade-carrying `member for oscillation oi' the manipulating-inember, and a projecting tongue on the manipulating member workmg in the slot oi" the base.

ll. In an electric snap switch, a slotted base, a pair of spaced rigid walls, a lirst member mounted upon said walls for oscillatory movement, contact-blades carried by said member, a second member supported for oscillation by said walls, a spring having engagement with said first and second members for impartingsnap rocking movementto the first member upon oscillation of the second member, and co-operating meansupon both said members and the base for limiting the oscillatory movements of said members, said means comprising an abutment on the base, an extension on the first member adapted for engagement withsaid abutment, and a tongue on the second member working in, and adaptedfor engagement with an end-wall of, -the slot in the base.

l2. In an electric snap switch, a slotted base, a pair ofspaced rigid walls, a member mounted upon said walls for oscillatory movement, contact-blades carried by said member, a n1anipulating-member supported for oscillation by said walls, a spring having vengagement with said blade-carrying and manipuber for imparting snap rocking movement to the blade-carrying member upon oscillation of the manipulating member, and co-op- 'erating means on the base and the bladecarrying and manipulating members for limiting the oscillatory movements of said members.

14. In an electric snap switch, a slot-ted base, abutments on the base, a pair of spaced rigid walls having a pair of aligning bearings, a U-shaped member mounted at its legs upon said bearings for oscillatory movement relatively to the walls, contact-blades carried -by said member', a manipulating-member supported for oscillation by said walls and com .prising a skeleton-frame portion embracing the bight of the blade-carrying member, a coil-spring having engagement with said blade-carrying and manipulating members for imparting snap rocking movement to the blade-carrying member upon oscillation of the manipulating member, and means com-- prising abutment-engaging extensions on the blade-carrying member and a tongue on the mampulating-member working in the slot of rthe base for limiting the oscillatory move- Vments of said members.

.In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

VILLIAM WURDACK, J n. 

